Next week roll call

So I went for the concert double-header, and it actually worked out very well even though Stars went on a half hour later than they were supposed to start.

I thought Stars were very good, but not great. I doubt they can ever be a truly great band, but I am quite fond of them and wish them the best. I was never bored, but they never "blew me away" either. It was a fun show overall. Torq, Amy, and the rest of the band all did a fine job. The audience was a little lethargic at first, albeit appreciative, but livened up somewhat by the end of the show. The only other time I've seen Stars was when they opened for Death Cab in 2005. They caught me by surprise that night, and I pledge to see them the next time they came to town, but, unfortunately, their February 2006 headlining show at the Black Cat sold out before I (and a lot of other boardies, as I recall) could get tickets. I was probably a little more impressed with them back in 2005. Anyway, the show ended shortly after 10:30.

After that, I trekked over to the Black Cat and caught the last half of Dance Party's set. I gotta love a band called Dance Party. True to their name, they're all about getting the audience to move, and they've succeeded both times I've seen them.

But I was really there to see Middle Distance Runner. I thought they put on a fantastic show. They just keep getting better. They just nailed song after song, right up until the last song which they botched, but they put on a solid rock show. Honestly, I enjoyed Middle Distance Runner's set at least twice as much as Stars'. Picked up the new CD for just $5. I'm listening to it now, and it's solid.

what was with the blinding strobe and runway lights at the BSP show? i needed a pair of sunglasses.

BSP was tight until the last 20-25 minutes. sometimes less is more.

Stars put on a great show. Their studio work peaked at "Set Yourself on Fire" but they remain a charismatic and engaging live act. I'm glad they used the light and mist machines more artistically – and moderately – than the BSP acts.

Who's going to Yo La Tengo at the Birchmere (still undecided here…) ?

Definitely Jens Lekman next week.

Castanets>Damo>Jens>Boris :D

ohhh Castanets tonite??

yup

Someone may have already mentioned this, but the Stars show is up on NPR.org

I thought the show was great too. I actually like their new stuff alot. The song when he came onstage with all the lights on his jacket, man that song is so catchy.

it looks i can make it to castanets tonite as well!

Originally posted by azaghal1981:
yup

I'm still dwelling on it.

I've become such a fucking slacker and hate it.

If I don't have an advance ticket to a show, odds are I skip it.

hah…Deer Tick are opening…great lineup

Originally posted by azaghal1981:
I'm still dwelling on it.

I've become such a fucking slacker and hate it.

If I don't have an advance ticket to a show, odds are I skip it.

Originally posted by 930clubber:
Stars put on a great show. Their studio work peaked at "Set Yourself on Fire" but they remain a charismatic and engaging live act. I'm glad they used the light and mist machines more artistically – and moderately – than the BSP acts.

I concur that Stars put on a great show. Also agree that "Set Yourself On Fire" was a better studio effort than "In Our Bedroom After The War" but it all comes across just fine live.

One thing I'd like to comment on is how Amy Milan's voice has gotten SO much better. I used to cringe at some of her earlier live singing, especially when she sang something like "Ageless Beauty". Her voice has gotten stronger and she can hit all the notes without fading off.

Looking forward to their show in Philly on Wed!!

I'm so fucking tired, and such a damn procrastinator that my Stars ticket went to waste, as I was coming back from Boston ALL of Saturday. Heard the show was great.

in other "this week" news. i'm just found out i'm a roller girl. yay. :)

i sat next to damo suzuki at the velvet last night. just very briefly. it was late, i needed to go home. i just wanted to be able to send a text to a buddy that said "i am (sitting next to) damo suzuki." sic alps were excellent. what's with all these righteously noisy/fuzzy/catchy duos these days? i'll be back at velvet tonight. spoon tomorrow. holly golightly wednesday. jens thursday. king khan saturday. too much shows. maybe if the series is good i'll skip a few.

Originally posted by miss pretentious:
in other "this week" news. i'm just found out i'm a roller girl. yay. :)

If history holds, being roller girl will be the peak of your career.

Did anyone make it to the Film School show last night at R'n'R Hotel? Sadly, I thought it was tonight for some reason. Hate it when that happens . . .

Originally posted by miss pretentious:
in other "this week" news. i'm just found out i'm a roller girl. yay. :)

congrats. i'll make it to a derby game one day

Originally posted by wanderlust j. marshmallow:
Sometimes I wish Billy Bragg would just shut up and play.

Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
… but expect a 50/50 mix of gabbing and playing.

holy shit, i could not agree any stronger … it felt a little more like 65/35 gabbing/playing, and the half-hour-long 17th century history lesson was just a little more than i could take … also, it kind of detracts from your message when you start with a ballad about a utopian band of pre-enlightenment socialists and move into lighthearted jokes about exchange rates and alan greenspan

his (singing) voice sounds fantastic … the new songs sound (predictably) like boring shit, the old songs are just as vital as ever … the updated "waiting for the great leap forward" was kind of fun … highlight for me was "way over yonder in a minor key", fucking love that song

Originally posted by Shiverintheshadows:
Did anyone make it to the Film School show last night at R'n'R Hotel? Sadly, I thought it was tonight for some reason. Hate it when that happens . . .

ill be seeing them on thursday night in nyc. i thought they played last night here, but its probably tonight. the shows up here arent sold out if you fancy a trip to nyc to see them.

Damo killed it last night. So did kohoutek and giffoni/wiese/yeh.